"Why? Do you think I won't be able to win against Nathaniel?"
Floyd, Gwen, and Amber looked at each other with embarrassed looks. That was what they were thinking.
Nathaniel was out of Erik's league; there was no doubt about it. Even Erik knew that, but his recent winning streak had made him overconfident.
"Let's go to the Sunny Side Ice Cream Shop down the street," Floyd said. "We need to have a serious talk about Nathaniel's abilities, and it'll be easier to explain everything while we're sitting down with some food."
The four took Amber's car and went to the nearest ice cream shop. Erik had work to do that evening, so he couldn't stay for long, but they had to put Erik on guard against Nathaniel.
Once they arrived, each ordered a sweet and sat on a nearby bench. The shop they went to was near the park, so they ate with birds chirping and children playing in their ears as background.
